Breastfeeding is not a big deal

[lilmami81]

It just isn't.   It is a very minor thing. Babies are supposed to drink breastmilk and that's it. It's just that simple.  I don't know why people make it rocket science.  We are mammals. We give birth to live young and we make milk for them. 

Do you know why breastfeeding is such a big deal? Because the formula makers want it to be.  They are a booming industry.  They make it seem as if there are only two options: breastfeeding or formula feeding. Not breastfeeding seems to imply some sort of failure, as if the mother didn't try hard enough, didn't care enough, etc.  It pits us against each other. 

Along time ago, when people worked as a community, not as a bunch of individuals women helped each other with children.  If a woman  was sick, another mama could step in to nurse her baby.  If she had a poor supply and her baby had a weak latch, she could nurse a baby who was a bit more adept at nursing until her supply was built up and that mama would nurse her baby to ensure that he or she got enough.  I would nurse another child  or pump for that child. It's the right thing to do. I believe a lot of other nursing mothers feel this way, too.

There are those who say this is disgusting or dirty, but ask yourself why you feel that way?  Why is is nasty?  Why is it dirty?  If the media has your mind so entrenched that you can ignore the biological purpose of breast, well I just feel sorry for you. 

Mothering is not a competion. It's not FF versus BF, brest versus bottles.  It takes a village to raise a child and we are letting large business tear that village apart by creating arbitrary guideines on what makes a good mother. That is counterproductive to us as a whole.

The first step is to face facts: every child needs breastmilk, biologically.  It's what we are wired to eat.  Babies can survive on formula but it's simply survival.  Once we accept that, and understand that formula is a medical intervetion (just like a catherization tube or liquid nutrition such as ensure), we can make progress to bringing up our next generation the healthiest way possible with no uneccesary compromises.

[mom2ljh]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 12:13 AM

AWESOME post!  This is absolutely the truth.  If the formula manufacturers would regard their product as what it is, a medical intervention, and NOT tout it as an acceptable alternative to breastmilk, then more babies would get what they need, biologically.  I also agree that we are too wrapped up in ourselves and have forgetten that we need to help our neighbors if need be.

[catholicmamamia]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 12:23 AM

Bravo! Well written! It is a shame that something so simple, natural, beautiful, and loving as breastfeeding can be reduced to something dirty, shameful, to be hidden, etc.

[Daynaof3]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 12:23 AM

Great post! I agree 100%.

[ncbirdie]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 8:25 AM

Very well written and I see no way anyone could argue it.

[RanaAurora]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 5:52 PM

Fantastic post.  Formula was designed to only be used when breastmilk was NOT an option, just like you only take thyroid medications when yours doesn't function correctly, not as an alternative.

[logansmomma2007]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 6:40 PM

Great post.  Not sure why you posted anonymously.

[bugsandpirates]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 8:05 PM

logansmomma2007 quote ^^^    "Great post.  Not sure why you posted anonymously."

Ditto!

[heatherama]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 9:37 PM

Beautiful, awesome, excellent post!!

 

[jus1jess]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 9:39 PM

Amen! I grew up rarely seeing or hearing about breastfeeding. When I did, it was negative. When I became a mom and took time to look at all the BS trash talk about BFing, I realized how ignorant everyone was. I've never heard a real reason as to why BFing is nasty.

[trebelcleff]

Mar. 14, 2009 at 10:14 PM We FF after a month (low/no supply), but I would have accepted donated milk if we qualified... currently I think you have to either have a child who was adopted or has a specific need for breast milk. Not totally sure on that whole thing. As for BF someone else's child, I wouldn't nurse them, but I certainly wouldn't have a problem giving them milk in a bottle!